The 14th Dalai Lama visited the European Parliament on September 15. Upon his visit to the Parliament, the Dalai Lama expressed his admiration for the spirit of the European Union because it works for the common interest of the people. "I think this spirit of the European Union eventually should spread to Africa and further in the world," he added. "We are all human beings and we have to work together." He called for compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, inner peace and self-discipline, instead of emphasizing differences among people, which can lead to religious or nationalist conflicts.